Beaulieu (company)

Beaulieu is the name of a french motion picture camera manufacturer.

Cameras

Notable cameras include the advanced Super8 format 2008/4008 series and 6008/7008 cameras, as well as the larger format 16 mm double perf R16.

Super8

Among Super8 users, Beaulieu became known for its SLR-style motion picture cameras. These cameras had removable C-mount lenses, and a reflex type viewfinder (both features uncommon in this smaller format).

Normally, the image from the taking lens was split in two (in a prism): one beam for the film and one beam for the viewfinder. On the Beaulieu cameras however, no light was wasted -- either all of it was directed at the film, or it hit a mirror which directed it into the viewfinder. This meant that the view through the viewfinder would flicker while filming, as the guillotine shutter/mirror mechanism moved up and down (in and out of the way of the film). Beaulieu cameras with this design thus allowed for shorter shutter speeds to be used, providing sharper footage.

Today

As consumers moved from film to video, Beaulieu made some unsuccessful attempts to do the same.

Today, the 4008 and R16 models are the most common on Ebay. When the 6008 and 7008 models were introduced the Super8 format was already dying and as a consequence, these cameras are quite rare.